SOUTH BEACH.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 567, 4 September 1869, Page 2

SOUTH BEACH.

♦ ; (fuom our own coerbspoitdbnt.) Sept. 1. In continuing a description of the Stoney Lead, I first notice that to the north of the Greymouth Gold-mining Company's ground, there is a claim before the Nelson or Jack's Creek is reached; which has been taken up and surveyed. On the opposite side of the creek, Kennedy and Co. hold one acre. They are taking in a tail-race from the creek. Delany and Co., the next party of 10 men, have two acres. It is reported that they have been successful in getting a prospect wliich will, no doubt, urge them on to develope their claim. Whelan and Co., of 33 men, have taken up three acres of ground. They purpose erecting a waterwheel, which will necessitate them to cut < an open tail-race some ten or twelve feet deep from the beach. Colton and Co., of 10 men, have 2£ acres taken up on the lead. They have been sluicing for some considerable -time on a continuation on what is known as Watson's lead. They were compelled to cut a deep open tailrace from the beach, and it was here that two men got drowned about eighteen months since. The sand slipping, embedded them in the race, and the water rising caused them to lose their lives. It is by "taking in a tunnel from the extremity of this race that Colton and Co. intend to drain their ground. There is no question that by doing so they will save themselves some considerable labor and expense, and enable them to reach the goal of their ambition much sooner than

they could otherwise do. John Kerr and Co., of 13 men, have secured three acres, and it is reported that they have amalgamated with Colton and Co. to take in the tunnel, so that both these parties, in three months time, ought to be in a position to open out paddocks, The Caledonian Company, of IS men, with 3 acres, pome next. The Gulden Gate Company, with a similar compliment of men and ground follow. Both these parties have : combined to take in a tunnel named the Hand and Hand, from the Beach, about JSO yards yards to the south of the Halfway Hotel. They have been at work about five weeks, and have made considerable progress, being upwards of 300 feet in. Of course this spo;iks well for the nature of the ground they have gone through at present. Whether it will continue as favorable remains to be seen, though it is sincerely to be hoped that it may prove so. To take in a tunnel from the Beach is no child's play — it is a work of considerable magnitude, taking months to complete, and requiring the most scientific engineering — for a false blow or insecure timber may not only prove fatal to the tunnel, but to the men themselves. Men only can be permitted to do this kind of work who possess a thorough knowledge of it, and their ability is often brought to test to overcome some almost insurmountable difficulty. The Hand in Hand Company fully exemplify thi3, as the men last week were compelled to leave off work on account of foul air, but this difficulty was soon overcome by sinking a phaft. If these companies are correct in their judgment, the lead gets nearer the beach as it comes northward, as they only anticipate having to carry their tunnel about COO feet, which ought to be completed in about two :nonths if bad ground is not met with. The high spring tides are likely^ however, to prove troublesome to the men engaged in taking in tunnels; jn fact, all the tail-races to the north of the Homeward Bound lire liable to be up when they enter the beach. They were seriously affected during the last spring tides, and it is to be feared that they will always be subject to the same annoyance. A large land-slip occurred last Friday between the Great Extended and Leviathan Races. As soon as the accident became known, the men belonging to both races were mustered, and by their united work soon cleared away the debris.